Image: Good Smile Company, Liden Films / DANDIVINE Project
AMBot | 06/03/2026 | Reading Time: 4 Min.
Japanese figure manufacturer Good Smile Company has unveiled an ambitious long-term project to mark its 25th anniversary: the 'Gattai-shin Series' ('God of Combined Series'). The kickoff is the entirely new robot anime television series 'Jyu-Oh Mujin Dandivine' ('Beast King War God Dandivine'), set to air on Japanese television in October 2026. The company announced this on June 3, 2026, at a presentation event at the UDX Theatre in Akihabara.
The story takes place 20 years after the titular combination robot Dandivine defeated the mysterious threat of the Aposdolls and saved the world. That success brought a huge boost to the toy manufacturer Casga—but in the following years, the company increasingly fell into decline. Casga President Shijima Genjuro longs for nothing more than the robot's return. When the Aposdolls reappear in Tokyo, his grandson, high school student Shijima Gekiha, is urged by his uncle Kuroiwa Yusaku—the former main pilot—to get back into Dandivine. The inexperienced youth thus unexpectedly becomes the pilot of the legendary giant robot.
Creative responsibility lies with a prominent team. Direction is handled by Cao Yi, who, together with renowned series writer Toshiki Inoue, is responsible for the series concept and screenplay. Inoue, known for his work on tokusatsu classics such as 'Kamen Rider Agito' and 'Kamen Rider 555', has personally written all episodes—a first for him. Character design is by majiro, with animation production handled by robin. Mechanical development is overseen by An from Studio GOD BRAVE STUDIO. Music is handled by sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami. The animation is produced by Liden Films in co-production with Kayak Animation.
The main roles are prominently cast: Takuma Terashima (known from 'Log Horizon' and 'Edens Zero') voices the protagonist Gekiha. Haruka Shiraishi ('Golden Kamuy') voices Gekiha's girlfriend Akane Kusumi, while Saya Aizawa ('High-Rise Invasion') takes on the role of his little sister Kirei. The opening theme is contributed by popular musician Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution). He stated via video message that he wants to carry Japanese robot anime culture to the world with the title.
A special feature of the series is its main character: Inoue described Gekiha as an 'absolutely boring guy'—a good-looking but otherwise completely average high school student who does not change over the course of the story. This was deliberately chosen to pique viewers' curiosity about whether the hero might still offer something interesting. Terashima expressed enthusiasm for this challenge and promised to make the most of the role to captivate the audience.
The project is planned over several years. Good Smile Company Chairman Aki Takanori emphasized that they do not want to create a one-time wave, but rather establish a new standard program for robot anime. The next series in the 'Gattai-shin Series' are already being planned for 2027 and 2028. Each is intended to follow its own combination concept and be released alongside corresponding toys. Animation and toy giants Aniplex, Takara Tomy, and Toei have been secured as partners.
To accompany the series, Good Smile Company is launching two product lines: the premium combination figure 'THE合体 DX Dandivine' (special price 29,500 yen, pre-orders from June 12) and the model kit 'MODEROID Dandivine (Action Model)' (special price 5,500 yen). Takara Tomy is contributing another real-toy version under the T-SPARK brand, with details to follow. Additionally, a manga adaptation with illustrations by TOGUCHI will be published in the magazine 'Monthly Dengeki Daioh'.
The combination of classic combination robotics, an unusual main character, and an ambitious multi-year plan makes 'Jyu-Oh Mujin Dandivine' one of the most anticipated anime projects of 2026.
The story takes place 20 years after the titular combination robot Dandivine defeated the mysterious threat of the Aposdolls and saved the world. That success brought a huge boost to the toy manufacturer Casga—but in the following years, the company increasingly fell into decline. Casga President Shijima Genjuro longs for nothing more than the robot's return. When the Aposdolls reappear in Tokyo, his grandson, high school student Shijima Gekiha, is urged by his uncle Kuroiwa Yusaku—the former main pilot—to get back into Dandivine. The inexperienced youth thus unexpectedly becomes the pilot of the legendary giant robot.
Creative responsibility lies with a prominent team. Direction is handled by Cao Yi, who, together with renowned series writer Toshiki Inoue, is responsible for the series concept and screenplay. Inoue, known for his work on tokusatsu classics such as 'Kamen Rider Agito' and 'Kamen Rider 555', has personally written all episodes—a first for him. Character design is by majiro, with animation production handled by robin. Mechanical development is overseen by An from Studio GOD BRAVE STUDIO. Music is handled by sound director Yoshikazu Iwanami. The animation is produced by Liden Films in co-production with Kayak Animation.
The main roles are prominently cast: Takuma Terashima (known from 'Log Horizon' and 'Edens Zero') voices the protagonist Gekiha. Haruka Shiraishi ('Golden Kamuy') voices Gekiha's girlfriend Akane Kusumi, while Saya Aizawa ('High-Rise Invasion') takes on the role of his little sister Kirei. The opening theme is contributed by popular musician Takanori Nishikawa (T.M.Revolution). He stated via video message that he wants to carry Japanese robot anime culture to the world with the title.
A special feature of the series is its main character: Inoue described Gekiha as an 'absolutely boring guy'—a good-looking but otherwise completely average high school student who does not change over the course of the story. This was deliberately chosen to pique viewers' curiosity about whether the hero might still offer something interesting. Terashima expressed enthusiasm for this challenge and promised to make the most of the role to captivate the audience.
The project is planned over several years. Good Smile Company Chairman Aki Takanori emphasized that they do not want to create a one-time wave, but rather establish a new standard program for robot anime. The next series in the 'Gattai-shin Series' are already being planned for 2027 and 2028. Each is intended to follow its own combination concept and be released alongside corresponding toys. Animation and toy giants Aniplex, Takara Tomy, and Toei have been secured as partners.
To accompany the series, Good Smile Company is launching two product lines: the premium combination figure 'THE合体 DX Dandivine' (special price 29,500 yen, pre-orders from June 12) and the model kit 'MODEROID Dandivine (Action Model)' (special price 5,500 yen). Takara Tomy is contributing another real-toy version under the T-SPARK brand, with details to follow. Additionally, a manga adaptation with illustrations by TOGUCHI will be published in the magazine 'Monthly Dengeki Daioh'.
The combination of classic combination robotics, an unusual main character, and an ambitious multi-year plan makes 'Jyu-Oh Mujin Dandivine' one of the most anticipated anime projects of 2026.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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